AUGUST WILSON
Biography
August Wilson (1945 – 2005) was an award-winning American playwright whose work illuminated the joys and struggles of the African-American experience in the United States during the 20th century. Born Frederick August Kittel on April 27, 1945, in the Hill District community of Pittsburgh, he was the son of Daisy Wilson, an African-American cleaning woman, and Frederick Kittel, a German immigrant and baker who was mostly absent from Wilson’s life. His mother raised Wilson and his siblings in a two-room, cold-water flat. Though bright and creative, he found student life difficult. Racially bullied at one school, bored at the next and accused of cheating at another, he secretly dropped out of high school in his early teens.
Wilson had begun writing plays — one a musical western — before relocating to Minneapolis. There he was given a fellowship to the Minnesota Playwrights Center, which led to his acceptance into the National Playwrights Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut.
During the conference — an intense collaboration of artists testing new works — Wilson would meet Lloyd Richards. Richards was an African-American director who served as the dean of the Yale University School of Drama and the artistic director of the Yale Repertory Theatre. He was a legend in dramatic circles, especially in black theater, and would become a father figure and mentor to Wilson. Together, the two men would make a bold new statement on the Broadway stage.
Wilson’s greatest contribution to American culture would be his defining 10-play cycle, one for each decade of the past century. All but one — Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom — set in the city of Pittsburgh. (Full Bio)
Plays
Jitney (1982)
By 1977, the City of Pittsburgh has bought large swaths of Hill District businesses and left many buildings in a state of urban decay. In a time when most car services won’t travel to the Hill, Becker offers unofficial taxi service, called “jitneys,” to Pittsburgh’s black communities. Just as Pittsburgh calls to shut down Becker’s business, his son returns from prison.
Cast Requirement: 9 (1f, 8m)
Characters: Youngblood, Turnbo, Fielding, Doub, Shealy, Philmore, Becker, Rena, Booster
Publication Info: Jitney. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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Jitney premiered at the Allegheny Repertory Theater in Pittsburgh, PA in 1982. This production was co-directed by Bob Johnson and Beryl Berry. The production featured a cast that included:
Sala Udin, Curtiss Porter, Ron Pitts, Milton E. Thompson, James R. Darby, Montae Russell, and Gwendolyn Perry
Jitney opened on Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2017. The production was directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Toni-Leslie James; lighting design was by Jane Cox; sound design was by Darron L. West; original music was by Bill Sims Jr.; Hair and Make-Up Design was by Robert-Charles Vallance; the production stage manager was James Latus. The cast for this production included:
- Shealy - Harvey Blanks
- Fielding - Anthony Chisholm
- Booster - Brandon J. Dirden
- Youngblood - Andre Holland
- Rena - Carra Patterson
- Turnbo - Michael Potts
- Doub - Keith Randolph Smith
- Philmore - Ray Anthony Thomas
- Becker - John Douglas Thompson
Ma RainEy's Black Bottom (1984)
It’s 1927 and Ma Rainey, the indomitable Mother of the Blues, is in Chicago to cut a record. Caught between an old blues tradition and the coming importance of recorded music, she negotiates her place in an industry that cares less about her than the profits her music produces. Meanwhile, an upstart trumpet player attempts to establish his new sound.
Cast Requirement: 10 (2f, 8m)
Characters: Sturdyvant, Irvin, Cutler, Toledo, Slow Drag, Levee, Ma Rainey, Policeman, Dussie Mae, Sylvester
Publication: August Wilson Three Plays. University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991. (Link)
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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1984. The production was directed by Lloyd Richards; set design was by Charles Henry McClennahan; costume design was by Daphne Pasucci; lighting design was by Peter Maradudin; the music director was Dwight Andrews. The cast for this production included:
- Sturdyvant - Richard M. Davidson
- Irvin - Lou Criscuolo
- Cutler - Joe Seneca
- Toledo - Robert Judd
- Slow Drag - Leonard Jackson
- Levee - Charles S. Dutton
- Ma Rainey - Teresa Merritt
- Policeman - David Wayne Nelson
- Dussie Mae - Sharon Mitchell
- Sylvester - Steven R. Blye
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom opened on Broadway at the Cort Theater in 1984. The production was directed by Lloyd Richards; set design was by Charles Henry McClennahan; costume design was by Daphne Pasucci; lighting design was by Peter Maradudin; the music director was Dwight Andrews. The cast for this production included:
- Sturdyvant - John Carpenter
- Irvin - Lou Criscuolo
- Cutler - Joe Seneca
- Toledo - Robert Judd
- Slow Drag - Leonard Jackson
- Levee - Charles S. Dutton
- Ma Rainey - Teresa Merritt
- Policeman - Christopher Loomis
- Dussie Mae - Aleta Mitchell
- Sylvester - Scott Davenport-Richards
Fences (1985)
Troy Maxson, once an aspiring baseball player, has had the potential fruits of his skills and hard work denied him by a world reticent to allow Black Americans economic success and social mobility. By 1957 his son Cory sees the world through a new generation’s eyes and seeks to use football as his ticket to prosperity. The tensions between father and son threaten the stability of the Maxson family.
Cast Requirement: 7 (2f, 5m)
Characters: Troy Maxon, Jim Bono, Rose, Lyons, Gabriel, Cory, Raynell
Publication Info: August Wilson Three Plays. University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991. (Link)
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Fences premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1985. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by James D. Sandefur; costume design was by Candice Donnelly; lighting design was by Danianne Mizzy; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Joel Grynheim.The cast for this production included:
- Troy Maxson - James Earl Jones
- Jim Bono - Ray Aranha
- Rose - Mary Alice
- Lyons - Charles Brown
- Gabriel - Russell Costen
- Cory - Courtney B. Vance
- Raynell - Cristal Coleman and LaJara Henderson
Fences opened on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre in 1987. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by James D. Sandefur; costume design was by Candice Donnelly; lighting design was by Danianne Mizzy; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Martin Gold.The cast for this production:
- Troy Maxson - James Earl Jones
- Jim Bono - Ray Aranha
- Rose - Mary Alice
- Lyons - Charles Brown
- Gabriel - Frankie A. Faison
- Cory - Courtney B. Vance
- Raynell - Karima Miller
joe turner’s Come and Gone (1986)
Set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911, owners Seth and Bertha Holly play host to a makeshift family of people who come to stay, some for days, some longer, during the Great Migration of the 1910s. Among those on the move are Herald Loomis and his young daughter, Zonia. Haunted by the past, they are headed wherever the road takes them in search of the long gone Martha, Herald's wife and Zonia's mother. Herald arrives at the boarding house unsettled, dark and secretive. Seth Holly is suspicious and wants him out almost as soon as he arrives, but Bertha and the others see him differently, and by action and example, they help set him on the way to recovering his lost spirit and finding a new life. (Source)
Cast Requirement: 11 (5f, 6m)
Characters: Seth Holly, Bertha Holly, Bynum Walker, Rutherford Selig, Jeremy Furlow, Herald Loomis, Zonia Lommis, Mattie Campbell, Reuben Mercer, Molly Cunningham, Martha Pentecost
Publication: August Wilson Three Plays. University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991. (Link)
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Joe Turner’s Come and Gone premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1986. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by Scott Bradley; costume design was by Pamela Peterson; lighting design was by Michael Gianitti; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Margaret Adair; the dramaturg was Lisa A. Wilde. The cast for this production included:
- Seth Holly - Mel Winkler
- Bertha Holly - L. Scott Caldwell
- Bynum Walker - Ed Hall
- Rutherford Selig - Raynor Scheine
- Jeremy Furlow - Bo Rucker
- Herald Loomis - Charles S. Dutton
- Zonia Loomis - Cristal Coleman and LaJara Henderson
- Mattie Campbell - Kimberleigh Burroughs
- Ruben Mercer - Casey Lydell Badger and Lamar James Frederick
- Molly Cunningham - Kimberly Scott
- Martha Pentecost - Angela Bassett
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 1988. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by Scott Bradley; costume design was by Pamela Peterson; lighting design was by Michael Gianitti; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Karen L. Carpenter. The cast for this production included:
- Seth Holly - Mel Winkler
- Bertha Holly - L. Scott Caldwell
- Bynum Walker - Ed Hall
- Rutherford Selig - Raynor Scheine
- Jeremy Furlow - Bo Rucker
- Herald Loomis - Delroy Lindo
- Zonia Loomis - Jamila Perry
- Mattie Campbell - Kimberleigh Aarn
- Ruben Mercer - Richard Parnell Habersham
- Molly Cunningham - Kimberly Scott
- Martha Pentecost - Angela Bassett
The Piano Lesson (1987)
In 1936 two siblings, Berneice and Boy Willie Charles, struggle over the fate of their most precious family heirloom: a piano adorned with carvings of their ancestors. Boy Willie, however, has been offered the opportunity to buy the land where his family used to be slaves, and the only way he can get enough money in time is to sell the piano.
Cast Requirement: 8 (3f, 5m)
Characters: Doaker, Boy Willie, Lymon, Berneice, Maretha, Avery, Wining Boy, Grace
Publication: The Piano Lesson. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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The Piano Lesson premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1987. The production was directed by Lloyd Richards; set design was by E. David Cosier Jr., costume design was by Constanza Romero; lighting design was by Christopher Akerlind; sound design was by J. Scott Servheen; the musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Maureen F. Gibson. The cast for this production included:
- Doaker - Carl Gordon
- Boy Willie - Samuel L. Jackson
- Lymon - Rocky Carroll
- Berneice - Starletta DuPois
- Maretha - Ylonda Powell and Chenee Johnson
- Avery - Tommy Hollis
- Wining Boy - Lou Myers
- Grace - Sharon Washington
The Piano Lesson opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1990. The production was directed by Lloyd Richards; set design was by E. David Cosier Jr.; costume design was by Constanza Romero; lighting design was by Christopher Akerlind; sound design was by G. Thomas Clark; the musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Karen L. Carpenter. The cast for this production included:
- Doaker - Carl Gordon
- Boy Willie - Charles S. Dutton
- Lymon - Rocky Carroll
- Berneice - S. Epatha Merkerson
- Maretha - Apryl R. Foster
- Avery - Tommy Hollis
- Wining Boy - Lou Myers
- Grace - LisaGay Hamilton
Two Trains Running (1990)
It’s 1969 and Memphis Lee’s restaurant serves as a gathering spot for an eclectic assortment of Hill District residents. As the revolutionary winds of the late 60s blow outside, the City of Pittsburgh attempts to buy out all of the Hill’s businesses, and each character searches for a spiritual leader to guide them to a better understanding of themselves.
Cast Requirement: 7 (1f, 6m)
Characters: Memphis, Wolf, Risa, Holloway, Sterling, Hambone, West
Publication: Two Trains Running. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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Two Trains Running premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1990. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by Tony Fanning; costume design was by Chrisi Karvonides; lighting design was by Geoff Korf; the sound design was by Ann Johnson; the production stage manager was Liz Dreyer; the dramaturg was Lisa A. Wilde. The cast for this production included:
- Memphis - Al White
- Wolf - Samuel L. Jackson
- Risa - Ella Joyce
- Holloway - Samuel E. Wright
- Sterling - Larry Fishburne
- Hambone - Sullivan Walker
- West - Leonard Parker
Two Trains Running opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1992. The director for the production was Lloyd Richards; set design was by Tony Fanning; costume design was by Chrisi Karvonides; lighting design was by Geoff Korf; the production stage manager was Karen Carpenter. The cast for this production included:
- Memphis - Al White
- Wolf - Anthony Chisholm
- Risa - Cynthia Martells
- Holloway - Roscoe Lee Browne
- Sterling - Larry Fishburne
- Hambone - Sullivan Walker
- West - Chuck Patterson
Seven Guitars (1995)
In 1948 Floyd ‘Schoolboy’ Barton is an up-and-coming bluesman with a hit song on the radio. When a Chicago record label offers to cut an album with Floyd, he must convince his former bandmates and his spurned ex-girlfriend to go to Chicago with him and change their lives for the better.
Cast Requirement: 7 (3f, 4m)
Characters: Louise, Canewell, Red Carter, Vera, Hedley, Floyd Barton, Ruby
Publication: Seven Guitars. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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Seven Guitars premiered at the Goodman Theater in Chicago in 1995. The production was directed by Walter Dallas; set design was by Scott Bradley; costume design was by Constanza Romero; lighting design was by Christopher Akerlind; sound design was by Tom Clark; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was T. Paul Lynch. The cast for this production included:
- Louise - Michele Shay
- Canewell - Ruben Santiago-Hudson
- Red Carter - Tommy Hollis
- Vera - Viola Davis
- Hedley - Albert Hall
- Floyd Barton - Jerome Preston-Bates
- Ruby - Rosalyn Coleman
Seven Guitars opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 1996. The production was directed by Lloyd Richards; set design was by Scott Bradley; costume design was by Constanza Romero; lighting design was by Christopher Akerlind; sound design was by Tom Clark; musical direction was by Dwight Andrews; the production stage manager was Jane E. Neufeld. The cast for this production included:
- Louise - Michele Shay
- Canewell - Ruben Santiago-Hudson
- Red Carter - Tommy Hollis
- Vera - Viola Davis
- Hedley - Roger Robinson
- Floyd Barton - Keith David
- Ruby - Rosalyn Coleman
King Hedley II (1999)
In the sequel to Wilson’s Seven Guitars set in 1985, Aunt Ester, the spiritual advisor to the Hill District, has died. The Hill District’s residents grieve while simultaneously dealing with worsening poverty and crime in their neighborhood. After getting out of prison, King Hedley II looks to rebuild his life, save some money, and start a family.
Cast Requirement: 6 (2f, 4m)
Characters: King Hedley II, Ruby, Mister, Elmore, Tonya, Stool Pigeon
Publication: King Hedley II. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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King Hedley II premiered at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in Pittsburgh, PA in 1999. The director for the production was Marion McClinton; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Toni-Leslie James; lighting design was by Donald Holder; the sound design was by Rob Milburn; the production stage manager was Diane DiVita. The cast for this production included:
- King Hedley II - Tony Todd
- Ruby - Marlene Warfield
- Mister - Russell Andrews
- Elmore - Charles Brown
- Tonya - Ella Joyce
- Stool Pigeon - Mel Winkler
King Heldey II opened on Broadway at the Virginia Theatre in 2001. The director for the production was Marion McClinton; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Toni-Leslie James; lighting design was by Donald Holder; the sound design was by Rob Milburn; the production stage manager was Diane DiVita. The cast for this production included:
- King Hedley II - Brian Stokes Mitchell
- Ruby - Leslie Uggams
- Mister - Monte’ Russell
- Elmore - Charles Brown
- Tonya - Viola Davis
- Stool Pigeon - Stephen McKinley Henderson
Gem of the Ocean (2003)
In 1904 Aunt Ester is the 285-year-old spiritual advisor to the Hill District’s residents. She is a living, breathing connection to the entire history of black experience in America. The play follows a young man named Citizen Barlow who visits Aunt Ester’s home at 1839 Wylie Avenue to have his soul washed for his sins.
Cast Requirement: 7 (2f, 5m)
Characters: Eli, Citizen Barlow, Aunt Ester, Black Mary, Rutherfors Selig, Solly Two Kings, Caesar
Publication: Gem of the Ocean. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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Gem of the Ocean premiered at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2003. The director for this production was Marion McClinton; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Constanza Romero; the lighting design was by Donald Holder; the sound design was by Michael Bodeen and Rob Milburn; the music and musical direction were by Dwight Andrews; and the production stage manager was Joseph Drummond. The cast for this production included:
- Eli - Paul Butler
- Citizen Barlow - Kenny Leon
- Aunt Ester - Greta Oglesby
- Black Mary - Yvette Ganier
- Rutherford Selig - Raynor Scheine
- Solly Two Kings - Anthony Chisholm
- Caesar - Peter Jay Fernandez
Gem of the Ocean opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in 2004. The director for this production was Kenny Leon; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Constanza Romero; the lighting design was by Donald Holder; the sound design was by Dan Moses Schreier; the music was by Kathryn Bostic; and the production stage manager was Narda E. Alcorn; the dramaturg was Todd Kreidler. The cast for this production included:
- Eli - Eugene Lee
- Citizen Barlow - John Earl Jelks
- Aunt Ester - Phylicia Rashad
- Black Mary - LisaGay Hamilton
- Rutherford Selig - Raynor Scheine
- Solly Two Kings - Anthony Chisholm
- Caesar - Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Radio Golf (2005)
It’s 1997 and the 21st century rapidly approaches. Harmond Wilks is running to be Pittsburgh’s first black mayor. Concurrently, he works to close his real estate firm’s largest redevelopment deal that would level a large portion of the Hill District and replace it with apartment buildings, complete with Whole Foods, Barnes & Noble, and Starbucks. One of the buildings that Harmond’s company is set to destroy is 1839 Wylie Avenue, the ancestral home of Aunt Ester. Two men closely tied to Aunt Ester fight to convince Harmond of the building’s spiritual significance.
Cast Requirement: 5 (1f, 4m)
Characters: Harmond Wilks, Mame Wilks, Roosevelt Hicks, Sterling Johnson, Elder Joseph Barlow
Publication: Radio Golf. TCG, 2007. (Link)
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Radio Golf premiered at Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in 2005. The director for this production was Timothy Douglas; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Susan Hilferty; the lighting design was by Donald Holder; the sound design was by Vincent Olivieri; the music and musical direction were by Dwight Andrews; and the production stage manager was Narda E. Alcorn; the dramaturg was Todd Kreidler. The cast for this production included:
- Harmond Wilks - Richard Brooks
- Mame Wilks - Michele Shay
- Roosevelt Hicks - James A. Williams
- Sterling Johnson - John Earl Jelks
- Elder Joseph Barlow - Anthony Chisholm
Radio Golf opened on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in 2007. The director for this production was Kenny Leon; set design was by David Gallo; costume design was by Susan Hilferty; the lighting design was by Donald Holder; original music was composed and arranged by Dan Moses Schreier; and the production stage manager was Narda E. Alcorn; the dramaturg was Todd Kreidler. The cast for this production included:
- Harmond Wilks - Harry Lennix
- Mame Wilks - Tonya Pinkins
- Roosevelt Hicks - James A. Williams
- Sterling Johnson - John Earl Jelks
- Elder Joseph Barlow - Anthony Chisholm
How I Learned What I Learned (2002)
Co-conceived with Todd Kreidler, How I Learned What I Learned chronicles Wilson’s life as a Black artist in the Hill District in Pittsburgh. From stories about his first jobs to his first loves and his experiences with racism, Wilson recounts his life from his roots to the completion of The American Century Cycle. How I Learned What I Learned gives an inside look into one of the most celebrated playwriting voices of the twentieth century. (Source)
Cast Requirement: 1 (1m)
Characters: Actor
Publication Info: How I Learned What I Learned. Samuel French, 2018. (Link)
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How I Learned What I Learned had its world premiere presented by Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2003. The production was directed by Todd Kreidler; lighting design was by L.B. Morse; the production stage manager was Michael Paul. The cast for the production featured:
Actor - August Wilson
The New York premiere was produced by Signature Theatre in New York in 2013. The director for this production was Todd Kreidler in collaboration with Ruben Santiago-Hudson; Constanza Romero was the creative consultant and costume designer; the scenic & projection designer was David Gallo; the lighting designer was Thom Weaver; the sound designer was Dan Moses Schreier; and the production stage manager was Winnie Y. Lok.The cast for this production featured:
Actor - Ruben Santiago-Hudson
UNPUBLISHED
Recycle (1973)
August Wilson’s first play exploring the breakup of his first marriage.
Cast Requirement: N/A
Characters: N/A
Publication Info: “August Wilson Archive Series XI.” Archival Material. University of Pittsburgh. (Link)
The Coldest Day of the Year (1977)
On an extremely cold day, an elderly man and woman meet on a park bench and begin to talk. The man discovers that the woman comes here daily to wait for a man that never shows up. He tells her, from his own experience, that eventually she will get tired of waiting and go herself. The bus soon arrives and he gives her his coat, which she attempts to return. He then proposes that he pretend to be the man that she desperately waits for. They have a joyous time and seem to fall for each other. (Source)
Cast Requirement: N/A
Characters: N/A
Publication: “August Wilson Archive Series XI.” Archival Material. University of Pittsburgh. (Link)
black bart and the Sacred Hills (1977)
A satire on American society. Black Bart, a magician, used to be a cattle rustler. He broke out of jail, and he carved this retreat called the Sacred Hills. And he’s making gold out of water. He had this idea he’s going to flood the world with so much gold that was going to be despised as “cockroaches in a sweet woman’s kitchen.” Gold is going to be utterly valueless. (Source)
Cast Requirement: N/A
Characters: N/A
Publication: “August Wilson Archive Series XI.” Archival Material. University of Pittsburgh. (Link)
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Black Bart and the Sacred Hills was produced by Penumbra Theatre in 1981. The production was directed by Claude Purdy.
Fullerton Street (1980)
Set in 1941 at the time of the Joe Louis-Billy Conn boxing match, the plot focuses on lynching, alcoholism, welfare, and the Southern Black’s loss of values while living in the urban North. (Source)
Cast Requirement: N/A
Characters: N/A
Publication Info: “August Wilson Archive Series XI.” Archival Material. University of Pittsburgh. (Link)
Malcolm X (1980)
A play about Malcolm X.
Cast Requirement: N/A
Characters: N/A
Publication: “August Wilson Archive Series XI.” Archival Material. University of Pittsburgh. (Link)
The Janitor (1985)
A short play taking place in a hotel ballroom. Sam is employed as a janitor at the hotel and is going through his normal routine of sweeping the ballroom floors when he comes across a sign for the next event to be held there. Though he is barely able to read, Sam is able to make out the words National Conference on Youth and, being an older man of fifty-six who has “approached life honestly, with both eyes open,” he decides to step up to the lectern and deliver a speech as if the room were full, and he was the keynote speaker. (Source)
Cast Requirement: 2 (2m)
Characters: Sam, Mr. Collins
Publication: Short Pieces from the New Dramatists. Edited by Stan Chervin. Broadway Play Publishing, 1985. (Link)
Resources
Other writings by WILSON
Speeches:
“The Ground on Which I Stand.” TCG, 1996. (Link)
Interviews:
Conversations with August Wilson. Edited by Jackson R. Breyer and Mary C. Hartig. University of Mississippi Press, 2006. (Link)
City University Television, “Spotlight.” (Link)
WRITINGS/Media about WILSON
Hartigan, Patti. August Wilson: A Life. Simon & Schuster, 2023. (Link)
American Masters, “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand.” PBS, 2015. (Link)